Survey Questions and Candidate Responses

Cassandra Martineau | Participating Election

Sadly, the Covid pandemic makes indoor dining one of the most dangerous places to be right now. I support helping businesses navigate take out/outside dining until we can create safe, separated areas to dine indoors, such as plastic dividers between tables.

Bruce Walczak | Participating Election

We well build back. Once people feel safe the economy and jobs will come back. We should continue to provide assistance to companies and individuals affected with economic assistance and adjust as the economy builds.

Joe Courtney | Participating Election

As a senior member of the Education and Labor Committee, I helped introduce the Relaunching America’s Workforce Act to invest in workforce development services and layoff aversion programs that can help dislocated workers find employment. These services include career navigation, technical training, and adult education, and would be supported through grants to state and local workforce development agencies, community colleges, and industry partners to help connect workers with jobs in in-demand industries. I also strongly support the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 which would invest in our successful Registered Apprenticeship program to help individuals “earn as they learn” and expand this proven workforce development model to new industries.

John Larson | Participating Election

I am a strong supporter of both the Heroes Act and the RESTAURANTS Act. Both pieces of legislation would help small businesses, including the restaurant industry weather this crisis. The Heroes Act would also improve and continue the Paycheck Protection Program that has been a lifeline to businesses across the country, but much more is needed. The RESTAURANTS Act would offer $120 billion in relief to the industry through a federal grant program.

Stephen Dincher | Participating Election

By freeing the market as much as possible. Connecticut's regulatory burdens are immense and are stifling job creation and economic mobility. I will introduce legislation to decrease regulations, taxes, and licensing burdens and always vote against increases to the same.

Brian Merlen | Participating Election

I believe we need real world solutions for those struggling from the economic impacts of the Coronavirus and that these solutions have to involve giving Americans both universal healthcare and universal basic income. By investing in tomorrows entrepreneurs, we will give all Americans a chance to invest in their futures.

Rosa DeLauro | Participating Election

The service sector has been uniquely devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-March, a majority of independent restaurants have closed their doors, laid off most of their employees, and are unsure what their business model will be after the pandemic. In April alone, 5.5 million restaurant workers lost their jobs, accounting for 27% of total job losses in the month. Some of these jobs are coming back but many will not return without assistance. The House passed Heroes 2.0 package included a bill I strongly support, the RESTAURANTS Act, which would establish a $120 billion restaurant revitalization fund to help provide targeted relief for restaurants who have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping mitigate their lost revenue and support the rehiring of staff. Moving into the future, Congress must work with state and local governments to provide the necessary PPE and other materials to our nations restaurants to help employees feel safe and protected while at work.

Justin Anderson | Participating Election

We need to allow a safe opening of our economy with proper incentives to conduct business in a safe manner. That statement means something different for each individual business. The restaurant and bar industries are very susceptible to reduced capabilities. These businesses rely on filling to a certain capacity in order to make a profit. A great tool would be a 0% loan which allows for increased space or facility augmentations. Screens, outdoor additions and better cleaning protocols will all help. In Connecticut we need to ensure the best possible opportunity for vocational skills which will ensure a skilled labor force for our military contracts. There are good paying jobs in sheet metal, electronics, and various other skill sets, which are needed to support our military contract industry, such as Electric Boat. I would fully work to expand those types for pipelines of skilled labor.